An increase in the levels of suspended particles (PM10) in the air due to an intrusion of dust of African origin has forced the Generalitat on Thursday to activate a preventive warning for air pollution in the Barcelona metropolitan area.
As reported by the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, the preventive warning for air pollution, which does not imply traffic restriction, has been raised due to the increase in levels of particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns (PM10) in the 40 municipalities that make up the Special Protection Zone (ZPE) of the Barcelona conurbation.
The preventive warning is the phase prior to the possibility of an environmental episode and is activated to reduce pollutant emissions. This notice involves indicating on the illuminated panels of the main road axes that the level of contamination is high; and inform citizens so that they prioritize the use of public transport over private vehicles.
Also, notify industrial activities and public works and electricity generation to activate the work protocols provided in these cases; and to recommend to the municipalities that they stop or reduce the activities or works with pulverulent materials.
According to the general direction of Ambiental Quality, the daily average of PM10 levels during this Wednesday were higher than the value of 50 μg/m³ in three measurement points of the atmospheric pollution of the ZPE, specifically in the station of Barcelona (Gràcia- Sant Gervasi), that of Hospitalet de Llobregat (avda del Torrent Gornal) and that of Sant Vicenç dels Horts (Ribot-Sant Miquel).
This Thursday morning they have also detected quite high levels and the 24-hour forecast indicates that they will remain so, being able to exceed the daily value of 50 μg/m³, since the intrusion of dust of African origin will persist, with concentrations between 10 and 100 μg/m³ in the northeast sector of the Iberian Peninsula.
The General Directorate of Environmental Quality and Climate Change of the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda will exhaustively monitor the levels and assess daily whether it is necessary to maintain the preventive warning, activate an episode of particle contamination, or deactivate the warning preventive.
To reduce the emission of particles in this situation, the Generalitat has recommended traveling on foot or by bicycle, choosing streets not frequented by traffic, prioritizing public transport and reducing trips by private vehicle.
